As a regular part of its Summer Associate Program, Morgan Lewis brings together firm leaders and all summer associates from offices across the United States to a single location for a multiday kickoff. Whether in Santa Monica- where we ditched our work shoes for flip flops and dined on s'mores at the beach- or in a major urban center where we partner with a non-profit to serve the community, the goal remains the same: introducing our summer associates to the firm, to our Summer Program, to our unique firm culture, and to our enthusiasm for the practice of law. In addition, we've built an abiding tradition of community service into our kickoff programs, complementing the Public Interest and Community Service split-summer program we offer.
Always, we devote a significant part of the kickoff to sharing with summer associates what we do at Morgan Lewis- our various practices and how we approach and sustain our nationally recognized, high-caliber client service. But every kickoff is unique. In 2008, for example, summer associates joined with firm leaders and other Morgan Lewis lawyers in a community service project at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Georgetown, near our D.C. office. In 2009, we partnered with one of our Pro Bono clients, Back on My Feet, with Morgan Lewis lawyers and summer associates participating in projects at homeless shelters-painting, serving lunch, folding laundry, landscaping, and providing other services. In 2011, we continued our focus on community service and again united with a Morgan Lewis Pro Bono client, Rebuilding Together, providing free home repairs such as painting and cleaning services to low income homeowners. Most recently, we partnered with Parks & People Foundation for our 2012 kickoff, helping to plant trees, build benches, and beautify the courtyard and school grounds at Calverton Elementary Middle School.
Picture yourself at Morgan Lewis, beginning your summer experience by serving the needs of others.
NATURE, NURTURE: 2012 summer associates distribute mulch to the newly planted trees at Calverton Elementary Middle School in Baltimore, MD.
Morgan Lewis summers worked with Parks & People Foundation to beautify the school grounds.
NEW BEGINNINGS: 2011 summer associates gather outside one of the homes they helped repair working with Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that rehabilitates homes free of charge for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.
Installing new windows for a low income homeowner....
SUPPORTING VETERANS: Members of the 2009 Summer Associate Program worked outside painting at the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training.
At the Helping Up Mission, summer associates were indoors organizing canned goods.
SUPPORTING KIDS AND THE ARTS Summer associates, students, and attorneys paint the fences outside of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, one of many community service project completed throughout a day devoted to the school.
Students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts perform a few of their favorite routines in a show of thanks to volunteers from Morgan Lewis..
WE ARE MORGAN LEWIS: Daytime programming at the kickoff focuses on what we do at Morgan Lewis and who we are as lawyers, and as people.
FLIP FLOPS OPTIONAL: Summer associates and attorneys enjoying an evening and dinner on the beach in Santa Monica.